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New class - Jardin de Fleurs

Hi, my name is Sue and I live with my partner in a village in Derbyshire. I love all kinds of mixed media crafting and am never happier than when I'm elbow deep in paint ! I hope you enjoy your visit !

Friday, 26 April 2013

Today's piece was inspired by the challenge over at IndigoBlu's Forever 21 Challenge. I've missed out on playing in the last challenge so was determined to make something for the current one which is flowers.

In a recent parcel from PaperArtsy there was this piece of thick board as part of the packaging. I thought it was perfect for having a little play with Fresco Finish paints and Inidgo Blu stamps. I used a Donna Downey stencil and Grunge Paste and while the stencil was still in place I spritzed the large stamp from the Bloomin' Great set and stamped the swirls on the stamp into the Grunge Paste. Once dry I gave the whole board a coat of Vanilla Fresco Finish. Then I used Pansy and Squid Ink and a baby wipe to blend it over the board. I used Vanilla and Squid Ink with the same stencil and the 'bumping' technique. I stamped the tape measure from the Sewing Mends the Soul set and the leaves and flower from the Bloomin' Great set with black Archival ink. I then decided it all needed knocking back as it was too strong a colour. I used Vanilla again with a baby wipe and wiped the paint over the top. I then used the Bingo stencil and more Vanilla and added some numbers randomly over the board.

I've used the Tim Holtz Arches die and cut the large one from corrugated cardboard and rubbed Pansy over the top. The three smaller arches have been stamped with the two small flowers from the Bloomin' Great set using Dusty Concord DI. I've then blended DI over the card and used the Honeycomb Texture Fade EF. I've brushed White Fire Treasure Gold over the raised surface, which I think you can just about make out on the above photo. The little lock on the left hand panel is by Melissa Frances and I've dabbed Pansy and Squid Ink on it and then White Fire Treasure Gold. The main image is from the Sewing Mends the Soul set and it's stamped onto white card, cut out and then I've blended DI around the edge. The pearl stick pins have been brushed with Treasure Gold too and I've used a Dylusions spray to change the colour of one of the flowers to the dark purple. The little 1/2 number has had Fresco Finish dabbed on it too.

I've glued Filigree metal corners to the top two corners and brushed more Treasure Gold around the edges and over the metal. I love the effect that the Treasure Gold has on the textured areas of the Grunge Paste. I've also given the butterfly a coat of Treasure Gold too !

Sunday, 21 April 2013

It's time for the next challenge over at The Fashionable Stamping Challenge and the lovely Esther has chosen Sentimental for the next challenge. So, it's time to let your Sentiment take centre stage on your project !

I've used a chipboard page for this project. I gave it a coat of Snowflake Fresco Finish, then I decided to add some texture so used the Mini Marakesh stencil with Grunge Paste. Once this was dry I gave it a coat of Bora Bora Fresco Finish I dried this with my heat gun and then started adding more layers of Fresco Finish, drying between each coat so they don't all blend into one muddy colour !

I used a stencil with some Bora Bora Fresco Finish and then used the Sanded background stamp by Stampin' Up using French Roast Fresco Finish.

I really like the effect of this stamp, I don't know why I don't use it more often ! I've then brushed Aquamarine and Sapphire Treasure Gold around the edges and over the texture.

I've used an Artistic Outpost stamp for my sentiment from the Typography set. I used Fresco Finish paint, Bora Bora, Beach Hut and Inky Pool on some card, which has been cut out using one of the Sized Arches then stamped the sentiment using black Archival ink. I've then edged it with lace and layered it onto a piece of Kraft card that I cut out by hand after drawing round the Sized Arches die.

I've painted the Filigree metal and the cogs with Fresco Finish and then brushed Aquamarine and Sapphire Treasure Gold over it.

The flowers are actually buttons that I picked up the last time I was at The Bead Scene. I've painted them with Bora Bora, Beach Hut and Inky Pool Fresco Finish and when they were dry I brushed more Treasure Gold over them.

I really love how the paint and Treasure Gold has transformed these flowers and the effect on the Filigree metal. The stick pins have also been brushed with Treasure Gold. To hang it up I've looped thread through the holes and attached some link chain with split rings.

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

It's time for the next challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and this time the lovely Linda has chosen 'Upcycle for Earth Day!' Now this did have me scratching my head for a while, and after several minutes of staring around my craft room I spotted my ever increasing pile of cardboard. I've collected several pieces from boxes and packaging so thought I would create something from a particular piece that was already scored and looked useful !

This is what I started with, and I cut it down and also scored along the open edges so that they would fold over each other.

I then started to rip off the top layer of the carboard in random areas. Then I used some Grunge Paste and applied it with a spatula, patting it so that it gave a stippled effect.

When the Grunge Paste was dry I started to add Fresco Finish acrylic paint. I started with Stone and then used Brown Shed and then French Roast. I concentrated the darker colours around the ripped areas, the Grunge Paste texture and the folds in the cardboard. I was thinking along the lines of an old book so I was aiming for a dark leather colour.

I've used a small piece of cardboard for the panel on the front, using the same technique as the main piece. I've stamped the numbers from the Generation Redux Artistic Outpost stamp set with Fresco Finish acrylic paint and the text is from the Eclectica ESN05 set and I've stamped it with black Archival Ink.

This is the back of the folder and I've used Hitch Fasteners to create a fastening mechanism. I'm not sure about the thread holding it closed, but until I think of something better they'll have to stay ! I've also used the Artistic Outpost Paper Boy set to stamp over the main piece.

The circles are stamped with Fresco Finish using an Oxford Impressions stamp. The main image is from the Artistic Outpost Generation Redux set and I've stamped it with black Archival Ink and stitched around the edge, added some Filigree metal corners and I cut down a piece of dark brown May Arts crocheted lace for the edge. I've added a rusted heart and a metal clock and the paper flower has had Treasure Gold rubbed over it.

I've added a large Filigree metal piece on the spine and then I've rubbed Treasure Gold over the textured areas and also the folds.

I punched some holes and threaded Jute Twine through it so that I could hold the booklet that I made to go inside.

I painted the inside of the folder with Stone Fresco Finish. The little booklet is made from Kraft card and I've used DIY Masking Tape for the spine to hold it togther. My thoughts are that I will use this for possible journalling or doodling, and it's large enough to add more little booklets.

Sunday, 7 April 2013

Sunday already ! I can't believe how fast the weeks are zipping by, I know I keep saying it but it just feels like the weeks are disappearing at a rate of knots ! So, onto today's post for The Fashionable Stamping Challenge which is a Journal page. Ellie is our host for the next two weeks and the challenge she's chosen is Journalling.

I know that Journalling isn't everyone's cup of tea, and to be honest it wasn't mine until recently when I went on a workshop and fell in love with it ! The main thing about it is there are no rules, whatever you want to do is fine, it's your Journal and is there to capture and reflect your own thoughts and feelings. For these pages I started by thinking about the time I spend in my craft room and how I believe they are golden hours.

I've used an old book for my Journal as I wanted a large space to work on. I glued some of the pages together to create a sturdy base for both sides. I then gave the pages a good coat of Gesso but not totally covering the text on the pages. I then started to layer on the Fresco Finish paint starting with Bora Bora. I gave the pages a coat of Glue 'n' Seal after the first coat of Fresco Finish to protect the pages as they don't like too much liquid.

I've used a numbers, chicken wire and dots stencil with more Fresco Finish paint, using the 'bumping' technique for the dots. I've used a Donna Downey stencil and some PaperArtsy Grunge Paste that I've coloured with Hey Pesto Fresco Finish. If you've not tried this paste, you must ! The circles are punched from white card and then I've painted them with Fresco Finish, Crackle Glaze and then another coat of Fresco Finish. The butterflies are from a Katzelkraft set of stamps. The text stamps are from the Sara Naumann 05 set and the Lynne Perrella 014 set and the word Jounal is from the Sara Naumann 02 set. I've hand drawn the arrows and then stamped the little birds which is a Katzelkraft stamp. The large flower is a PaperArtsy stamp and I've painted the flower head with Zesty Zing Fresco Finish.

I've spritzed the pages with Dylusions sprays and used some Amber Green Treasure Gold over the raised areas.

I really enjoyed creating these pages, I hope you have fun too ! If you've not done it before now's your chance to give journalling a whirl!

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

It's time for the next challenge over at Frilly and Funkie and this time the lovely Donna has chosen April in Paris. Here's what Donna has to say:

"April in Paris" - Think Spring in Paris...outdoor markets and
cafes, daffodils, tulips and lavender in bloom, and flowering trees.
Must include an image of a French landmark, such as the Eiffel Tower,
French text or a French word.

I was bought some lovely Serendipity stamps a few years back and when I saw this challenge I immediately thought of them. This one is actually Spring in Provence, so a little further south than Paris! I started by painting the door hanger with Snowflake Fresco Finish paint. Then I gave it a coat of Moonlight Fresco Finish. The french text is from a Katzelkraft stamp set and I've used Squid Ink to stamp it over the hanger. I've stamped the main image on to tissue paper and painted it on the reverse, making sure to go over the painted area with Snowflake Fresco Finish so the colours would show up when it was stuck to the hanger. I then used the lavender stamp from the Artisic Outpost Flower Market set. I've used Squid Ink and Hey Pesto Fresco Finish.

The french text is from the Artistic Oupost Paris Exposition set and I've stamped it with Squid Ink Fresco Finish onto some Grunge Paper that's been covered with Moonlight Fresco Finish. Apart from the roses the rest of the flowers have been made using the Tim Holtz Flower Garland die. The purple centres are made using a small flower punch following the instructions here.

Monday, 1 April 2013

We've zoomed through another month which means it's time for the next challenge over at The Vintage Stamping Challenge. This time we would like to see your Thank You projects.

I decided to make a thank you card as I've never got one when I need one ! I started with the background and blended Pan Pastels over it and then used a Crafty Individuals stamp with black Archival ink. I then stamped a Crafty Individuals swirl over the card with embossing ink and blended more Pan Pastels over it. I've used a Tim Holtz Texture Fades folder and more Pan Pastels. I cut a dress form using the die from the Tim Holtz Mini Sewing Room set from black card, stamped the Crafty Individuals Swirl with embossing ink and blended more Pan Pastels over the top. The stamped dress form is from the same Crafty Individuals set as the background stamp I've used.

The main image is a Flonz Craft stamp and the text is from a Craft Obsessions set. The flower is cut from Crinoline using the Tim Holtz Tattered Flower die and I've coloured it using the Tattered Rose DI.